Uranium

Zoellner takes an extended look at uranium--"the mineral of the Apocalypse." From the discovery of radioactivity to the development of the atomic bomb--the author looks at the impact of this powerful element on humankind. Narrator Patrick Lawlor applies just the right tone of aplomb to this examination of science and politics. Lawlor's performance grows on the listener. His enthusiasm keeps the listener engaged even in the midst of some dry details. He also has a talent for accents that adds interesting nuances to his performance. For example, when the author recounts the actions of A.Q. Kahn, the Pakistani who sold nuclear weapons and technology to anyone with money, Lawlor delivers Kahn's rationalizations with an Arabic accent: "What's the harm? Who is going to use those weapons?" J.A.H. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Starred review from November 24, 2008
In this fine piece of journalism, Zoellnerdoes for uranium what he did for diamonds in The Heartless Stone
—he delves into the complex science, politics and history of this radioactive mineral, which presents “the best and worst of mankind: the capacity for scientific progress and political genius; the capacity for nihilism, exploitation, and terror.” Because Zoellner covers so much ground, from the discovery of radioactivity, through the development of the atomic bomb, he doesn't go into great depth on any one topic. Nonetheless, he superbly paints vivid pictures of uranium's impact, including forced labor in Soviet mines and lucky prospectors who struck it rich in harsh environments, the spread of uranium smuggling, as well as an explanation of why it was absurd to claim that Saddam Hussein was attempting to purchase significant quantities of uranium from Niger. The only shortcoming is Zoellner's omission of the issue of radioactive wastes generated by nuclear power—a significant problem given the possibility of a growing reliance on nuclear power.